House OKs bill granting P1 million to 101-year-old Filipinos

The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved a bill granting P1 million cash gift to Filipinos who will reach 101-years-old and other cash gifts for elderly who will reach the age of 80 years and above.

With 257 yes votes, House Bill 7535 was approved on third and final reading.

The measure amends the Centenarians Act of 2016 which only grants P100,000 cash gift to Filipinos who reach their 100th birthday.

The bill still provides a P100,000 cash gift to each Filipino who will reach 100-years-old, but a P25,000 cash grant will also be given to those who will reach the age of 80, 85, 90 and 95.

The funding requirement will be provided under the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), it added.

“This is to give special recognition for longevity and greater honor to centenarians who reached the age of 101 years old in the form of cash benefit [that is] ten times higher than what was provided under Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as the Centenarians Act of 2016,” the committee report on the measure read.

“This will also enable  nonagenarians and octogenarians to also enjoy the benefits of being recognized and the cash benefits while they are still strong without even having to wait and reach the age of 100,” the committee report added.

The bill tasks the National Commission of Senior Citizens for the implementation of the measure.—LDF, GMA Integrated News